Philippines Prepares Scenario to Halt Flights Due to Fuel Shortage

The impact of the increasingly heated conflict in the Middle East is now spreading to Southeast Asia, including the Philippines. The country is facing a serious threat: a crisis in aviation fuel that could force airlines to halt their operations. As quoted from Gulf News on Tuesday (24/3/26), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines openly admitted that the suspension of aircraft operations or grounding due to jet fuel shortages is no longer just an issue, but a real possibility. “We hope it doesn’t happen, but it is a distinct possibility,” said President Marcos to Bloomberg on Tuesday (24/3/26). The Philippines is feeling the direct impact when several countries began refusing to refuel aircraft from Philippine airlines. As a result, many airlines are forced to adopt tankering strategies, which involve carrying extra fuel from Manila for round-trip journeys. This strategy is highly burdensome for operations, especially for long-haul flights, as the heavier aircraft weight actually makes fuel consumption more inefficient. They have announced the temporary suspension of several routes and the reduction of flight frequencies for the period April-October 2026. This bitter step is taken because fuel costs have surged dramatically, even more than double compared to the 2025 average. Adjustments to additional fuel surcharges are also predicted to cause ticket prices to soar up to 6,208 pesos (approximately Rp1.7 million) for international routes. To maintain domestic energy stability, the Philippine Government is taking bold steps by resuming imports of crude oil from Russia for the first time in the last five years. This move is possible after the Philippines obtained a sanctions exemption from the United States valid until mid-April 2026. In addition to seeking alternative supplies, President Marcos has also approved an emergency bill as a top priority. This bill will give the President the authority to suspend or reduce excise taxes on fuel if the Dubai crude oil price exceeds 80 US dollars per barrel for one consecutive month. This step is hoped to serve as a buffer for consumers and the aviation industry so they are not too severely affected amid the uncertain global energy price surge.